Vail Resorts Buys Kirkwood

Colorado-based Vail Resorts Inc. announced on Wednesday that it had purchased Kirkwood Mountain Resort for a reported $18 million, adding the Carson Pass area resort to its quiver of California acquisitions that include Heavenly and Northstar.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kirkwood into our family as our seventh world-class mountain resort," Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz said in a statement. "Kirkwood represents skiing and riding at its purest, something we intend to retain and protect long into the future."

Those skiers and snowboarders who possess a season pass for those latter two resorts may now use them at Kirkwood, effective immediately. And Kirkwood pass holders will have the privileges at Heavenly and Northstar.

"We are excited to be able to offer Kirkwood to our pass holders right away," Katz added. "It's like opening day to a whole new season."

Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass holders have unrestricted access to ride Kirkwood, while Tahoe Value Pass holders cannot use their passes at Kirkwood on Saturdays. Kirkwood Premium Pass and 7 Wood Pass holders have unrestricted access to Heavenly and Northstar, while 6 Wood Pass holders cannot use their passes at Heavenly and Northstar on Saturdays; Kirkwood's 5 Wood Pass holders have access to Heavenly and Northstar Mondays through Fridays only.